California Environmental Reporting System (CERS)

Which UST documents must be uploaded?

Question: Which UST program documents are required to be submitted or uploaded to CERS and which of these must be signed before they are uploaded?

Answer: California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Division 3, Chapter 16 (Title 23), section 2613(a) lists the documents that must be submitted or uploaded in CERS. Title 23, section 2611 defines “submit” as “electronically transmit required documentation uploaded to, or information entered into the electronic database.”  All submittals to the Unified Program Agency must be made through the California Environmental Reporting System or local reporting portal; and

CERS Underground Storage Tank Submittal Elements
Some named documents are uploaded as pdf files.  If the form requires a signature, it must be signed prior to upload to CERS.

Since the owner and operator submittal requirements changed in 2026, the Designated UST Operator Identification will be fillable information in CERS and will replace the Designated UST Operator Identification Form. However, the CERS platform updates to conform with Title 23 have not been completed. Until CERS NextGen is ready, owners and operators are directed to continue to submit the Designated UST Operator Identification Form to CERS. The form will be available on the UST Leak Prevention Forms webpage until NextGen becomes available.

Currently, CERS does not have the capability to accept submitted test documents. Do not upload test documents to the “Miscellaneous State-Required Documents” section of CERS. Owners and operators will be able to submit test results with NextGen.  Until NextGen is available, please provide test documents directly to the Unified Program.  Once NextGen is available, all submittals will be expected to CERS.

Below is a screen shot of the named submitted documents and the Misc State-Required doc upload tool.

Screenshot of the named uploadable documents and the Misc State-Required doc upload tool

Each document upload screen provides several standardized CERS upload options. Note that all options may not be appropriate for all documents:

Screenshot of Document Upload screen that provides several standardized CERS upload options

The following identifies each UST Program related document and the upload option(s) authorized by code or regulation (HSC 6.7 or CCR Title 23) the regulated business can select for that specific document. Submittals may be rejected by the regulator if an incorrect upload option is used. For further information contact your local CUPA or PA. (https://cersapps.calepa.ca.gov/Public/Directory)

Screenshot of UST CERS upload options

Specifically named documents

  • UST Response Plan - Upload Document or Provided Elsewhere in CERS. Document signature not required. This document needs to be reported separately from the required information that is provided in the Hazardous Materials Business Plan Emergency Response and Training Plan.

Screenshot of software screen with ‘Emergency Response and Training Plan’ marked
  • Certification of Financial Responsibility – Upload Document. Document signature required.
  • Owner Statement of Designated UST Operator Compliance – Upload Document. Document signature required.
  • UST Monitoring Site Plan (Facility Plot Plan) - Upload Document or Provided Elsewhere in CERS. This document does not need to be reported separately if the required information is provided in the Hazardous Materials Inventory Site Map.
    Screenshot of specifically named document option selected ‘Provided Elsewhere in CERS’ and ‘Hazardous Materials Inventory’ that does not need to be reported separately.
  • Letter from Chief Financial Officer – Upload Document. Document signature required.
  • UST Owner/Operator: Written Agreement – Upload Document, Provided to Regulator, Stored at Facility, Exempt (if the operator is both the tank owner and the permit holder).
    Document signature required.